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Become a tree when you die

At Bristol Museum’s Death Fair at the weekend I was asked “You know you can become a tree when you die… how do I do that?”

Well, here is one route to eternal life. I invited my friends at Capsula Mundi to explain:

“In our society, death is still a taboo. It’s not easy for anybody to face grief or think about dying. But it’s inevitable and part of our life.

“Inspired by these reflections, the Capsula Mundi project wants to change the perception of death, bringing it back to the biological cycle of life. Capsula Mundi is an egg-shaped pod made of biodegradable material, where our departed loved ones are placed for burial. The pod will then be buried as a seed in the earth and a tree, chosen in life by the deceased, will be planted on top as a legacy for posterity. Ashes will be held in small Capsulas while bodies will be laid down in a foetal position in larger pods.

“In popular belief, death is the end, it’s a grey tombstone, a picture from the past, cut flowers.

“It should be different. If you think of death as a natural transition. If you have the opportunity to let your loved ones come back to the cycle of life. If you could visit them in a forest instead of in a cemetery. If you can take care of a tree instead of cleaning a grave, the loss is still there but the feeling is different!

“We decided to redesign the coffin, including ancestral symbols of life and birth: the egg, the foetal position and the tree. Capsula Mundi defies all cultural and religious barriers.

“Can you imagine the impact on children who visit deceased relatives in a forest? Can you imagine strolling and explaining to them that Grandpa is now a tree. A tree is something they can understand and interact with.

“Capsula Mundi is in a start-up phase but we’re working hard to make it become real, encouraged by worldwide enthusiasm for our concept.

“So, which tree would you like to be?”

Become a tree… how it works

here’s how it works

Track your Wishes free on Final Fling

If you do want to be a tree, better tell someone. Sign up for a free account on Fling – takes minutes – then click on Wishes and add a wish. Write what you want or say you want to become a tree and copy the link to this page. Simple.

Final Fling is for people who like to be in control of life and death decisions. Know your options. Make choices. Leave instructions. Stay in charge. Right till the end. And meantime, live life to the full.